If your life were a movie

So, I was wondering, if your life were made into a movie, who would you want to play you? Would you want it to be an action/adventure, film noire, slapstick comedy, etc? Describe what the movie about your life would be like.

Mine would be one of those quirky independent films that make you think, laugh, cry, etc. It would be set in Utah (how original) not only because this is where most of my life has been, but because of the great scenery, unique culture, and history that helps define me. I think Sandra Bullock could play me (yeah, I wish I looked like that). Or Drew Barrymore (hey, it's a movie). Mary Louise Parker would be cool. OR, it would be so fun if my life were made into one of those epics, you know, with sword fighting and dragons and cool old-fashioned ships. I think it would be a version of the Odyssey, except it would be a woman, not a man. I'm picturing some Viking woman (yeah, horn helmet and all) whose adventures take place in the northern seas (Northern Sea, Baltic, North Atlantic, Irish, maybe even the Artic). I'm thinking Neve Campbell (I know, you wouldn't have thought of her for a Viking version of the Odyssey based on me, but I think she would be cool.) or maybe Rose McGowan.

So tell me what the movie of your life would be like, and who would play you.

Erasure

I know, with all the posts about Coldplay, you might think I had forgotten about one of my favorite music groups. But ride in the car with me sometime when A Little Respect or Oh L'amour! comes on the radio and you will realize I am a diehard fan of Erasure. Best 80s band, imo (oops, "in my opinion" for those of you unfamiliar with that abbreviation). Do you know anyone else who, when they had to choreograph their own tap dance routine in college, chose Chains of Love? Yeah, maybe the TA who did her dance to TMBG's (They Might Be Giants) song "Constantinople" might have had the best choreography (well, and performance), but no one else was as devoted to their favorite band. (this tap teacher wanted us to free ourselves from the concept that we could only tap dance to jazz or broadway music, but that we could also do it to more modern stuff. So we all learned a routine to Madonna's song Vogue.)

So, have any of you ever done anything that would show you were just a bit over the top in your fanhood? (i.e. Dan naming his son Cougar would qualify. Getting a tattoo with a heart and Bon Jovi in the center of it or the person who owns a house near where my friend lives and the roof shingles are red and white with the red forming a big old U for the UofU.)

Why Noah is a Hypocrite

So, I just think it's hypocritical for Noah to name his son Ham when he was Jewish and they don't even eat ham. Angela claims he was not Jewish, but he is in the Bible! And he has the same god as the other Jewish people. And Jewish people claim him as their ancestor. Angela says they had not come up with the pork rule at that time. But pigs have existed for a long time and they were around then. So, a) he should not have named his son after a food, and b) it was even a food he says you shouldn't eat. Angela has come up with some totally false meaning for ham. She says it means "one without prejudice" when we all know ham is a type of pig meat. She also claims he married Egypt. When we all know that Egypt was around for a long time before Noah. Oh, Ang is calling it Egyptus, which cannot be, because Latin had not been invented yet, and we all know that the -us ending is Latin. Angela says they did not become Jews till Jacob's kids were born. But they already lived in Israel then, and the Jews claim this is their homeland, so they must have already been Jews by the time Jacob was born, which precedes his children being born, so Jews had been around for a long time. Ang says they didn't really call themselves Jews until the tribe of Judah. If that is true, then why do the Jews believe in the part of the Bible before Judah? Ang says all Hebrew people please be open-minded, but I'm not talking about the Hebrews, I'm talking about the Jews. Oh, Ang says now (changing her story) that they were Hebrews before they were Jews. She says from Abraham they're Hebrew, from Judah they're Jews. But Judah was Abraham's great-grandson, so that doesn't make any sense. Obviously, Angela has been sleeping during her gospel doctrine class AND sacrament meeting or she would know that Jews trace their Jewishness through their maternal line, not their paternal line. Therefore all this stuff about Abraham is beside the point. They were already Jews. And my main point is still that Noah was a hypocrite to name his son Ham when he didn't even supposedly believe that you should eat ham.

Names

Thought I would post my favorite names right now.

Boys
James Phillip
Seth Richard
Thomas Edgar

Girls
Liessa Anna (pronounced "lee ay suh". It's a medieval Spanish name and very rare)
Elizabeth Sophie or Elizabeth Phoebe or Elizabeth Linda or Elizabeth Clara
Katherine Phoebe or Katherine Portia or Katherine Lily or Katherine Lilia

Well, really I'm not entirely happy with the middle names for Seth and Liessa and obviously I'm having trouble making my mind up about Elizabeth and Katherine. Not to worry though, as these lists are just for fun!

Exercise Guild - Week 7

This goes from Monday, July 13-Sunday July19

Dellitt
Exercise 5 minutes a day M T W / Th F Sa Su
Eat vegetables at lunch M T/ W / Th / F / Sa Su
Drink 1 pop or less a day M / T W Th F / Sa Su

Andy
Swim 200 meters this week M T W Th F Sa Su
Get 100% on my finance final M T W Th F Sa Su

Beth
Eat fruits and veggies as snacks

Concerts I wish I could go to

Well, of course I wish I could go to one of Coldplay's concerts here in North America, but since they aren't playing close by, I can't.

But even with all of the great concerts here in Utah, I don't think I can really afford any of them. But maybe you can! Here they are:

Depeche Mode Aug 25
Snow Patrol Oct 10
The Killers Sep 26
Chicago Aug 4
Death Cab for Cutie Jul 13
Secondhand Serenade Jul 25
Air Supply (yep, I'm a fan) Jul 31
Wallflowers Jul 19
Chris Isaak Aug 14

Exercise Guild - Week 6

Hmm. It's been a while since anyone posted their progress in this guild. So if no one responds this week, I will just not do an exercise guild post in the future.

For me
Exercise 5 minutes a day M T W / Th F Sa Su
Eat vegetables at lunch M / T / W / Th / F Sa / Su /
Drink one pop or less a day M T / W / Th F / Sa Su
Andy
Swim 200 meters M T W Th F Sa Su
Get 100% on Finance final

Tom Dooley

Well, if you do not know the beginning words of this song, then you must not have grown up in the Wilson household. My mom and dad would sing the words to this sad song when I was growing up. So tonight I started to sing it. Of course, I only could remember the part that starts out "Hang down your head Tom Dooley! Hang down your head and cry! Hang down your head Tom Dooley ..." then I forget the rest, but remembered that he's going to die. Dad didn't remember who was famous for singing this song and when I suggested that it was from the time when Grandpa was young he said no, that it came from the 50s. Well, he's right that the most famous version of the song comes from the 50s. It was a hit for the Kingston Trio in 1958 and is credited with starting the folk music movement. It's also considered one of the Songs of the Century. It's actually fairly short and simple, but did you know this -- it is based on actual man named Tom Dula (in Appalachia Dula is prn. Dooley) who lived in North Carolina in the mid 1800s. He was convicted of murdering Laura Foster with a large knife, but just before he was hanged he said he had never harmed her. Some people think he took the rap for his other lover, Anne Melton, who was the one that made it possible to find Laura (Anne died insane a few years after Tom was hanged). Anyhow, he really did go to Tennessee to get away and there was a man named Grayson that was instrumental in him getting caught and sent back to North Carolina. But there was a 1929 recording of Tom Dooley and folk songs about him started to circulate after his hanging. His trial and execution were famous at the time and people in North Carolina still sing about him. Just thought you might want to know. And for fond memories, here is the Kingston Trio singing Tom Dooley. The gray-haired guy has an awesome quality to his voice, so that makes this version very cool. But I got to tell you, Dad sang this tonight and he sounded every bit as good. So ask him to sing it for you sometime.

Exercise Guild - Week 5

Wow! This week begins our second month of this guild. I'm proud of everyone for sticking with their goals.

Dellitt
Exercise for 5 min a day M T W / Th / F Sa Su
Drink 1 pop or less a day M / T W / Th F Sa Su
Eat vegetables at lunch M T / W / Th / F Sa Su
Mom
Take all my pills M T W Th F Sa Su
Go to the gym M T W Th F Sa Su
Get up early M T W Th / F Sa Su
Andy
Eat greens M T W Th F Sa Su
Swim 100 meters this week /
Beth
Go to the gym 4 times a week /
Angela
Exercise 6 days this week M / T / W Th / F / Sa Su
Eat 1 sugar treat a day M T W Th F Sa Su

Progress

Well, I just wanted to brag about myself to everyone (everyone being 4 or 5 of my family members). I am so proud that this week I have been really good about my exercise and diet goals. I didn't exercise yesterday (but I didn't get home from work till 9:30 pm) and I'm probably not going to today and I did drink two pops today, but otherwise, I've done really well. I also feel like I have really integrated this habit of eating vegetables at lunch into my routine. I was happy to snack on a plum and celery stick today instead of candybars. I also am now noticing how many calories are in the food choices I'm making and have a list of foods I frequently eat on my desk at home and also at my desk at work. The goal is to try to consume around 1500 calories a day, because I guess you're supposed to eat between 1200 and 1500 a day to lose weight (though someone pointed out if I'm just eating less calories, even if it's more than 1500, I'll probably start to lose weight). I'm hopeful that as I keep with it, I'll also be able to gradually exercise longer. Right now my walks can be more than 5 minutes, but I've had trouble doing yoga for more than 5. The other progress I've made is that my desk at work is clean. Hopefully I can keep it that way from now on.

Anyway, if you would like to brag about yourself in some way, please post a reply!

Exercise Guild - Week 4

Yay! This will make it one month that we have had our Exercise Guild. I'm very proud of everyone (even if you aren't telling me how you've been doing). Keep going and if you want to change a goal or add one, feel free to tell me.

Dellitt
Exercise for 5 min a day M / T / W Th / F Sa / Su
Eat vegetables at lunch M / T / W / Th / F Sa Su
Drink 1 pop or less a day M / T / W / Th F / Sa / Su /
Angela
Exercise 6 days a week M T / W Th F Sa / Su
Eat only 1 sugar treat a day M T W Th F Sa Su
Mom
Take all my pills M T W Th F / Sa Su
Go to the gym M T W Th F Sa Su
Get up early M T W Th F Sa Su
Andy
Swim 100 meters this week M T W Th / F Sa Su
Eat greens M T W Th F Sa Su
Beth
Go to the gym 4 times a week M T W Th F Sa Su

Exercise Guild - Week 3

For June 15-21. I decided to post my two nutrition goals here as well.

Dellitt
Exercise 5 minutes a day M / T W / Th F Sa / Su
Eat vegetables at lunch M / T / W / Th / F / Sa Su
Only drink 1 pop (or less) a day M / T W Th F / Sa Su
Mom
Go to the gym M T W Th F Sa Su
Take all my pills M T W Th F Sa Su
Get up early M T W Th F Sa Su
Andy
Go to the gym M T W Th F Sa Su
Eat greens M T W Th F Sa Su
Beth
Go to the gym 4 times a week M T W Th F Sa Su
Angela
Exercise 5 days this week M T / W Th / F / Sa / Su

Exercise Guild - Week 2

Let me know how you did on your goals this week.

Dellitt Exercise for 5 minutes M T / W / Th F / Sa / Su /
Andy Go to the gym M T / W Th F Sa Su
Eat greens M T W Th F Sa Su
Beth Go to the gym 4 times a week M T W Th F Sa Su
Mom Go to the gym M / T W Th F Sa Su
Take all my pills M T W Th F Sa Su
Get up early M T W Th F Sa Su
Angela Exercise 5 days this week M / T / W Th F / Sa Su

Exercise Guild

At my work we have an exercise guild. We have a chart up on the office door where each person writes down their personal exercise goal next to their name. Then each day that you do your goal, you get to put a checkmark in the box for that day. Last year we had a reward/penalty system, but it kind of fell through. So a couple weeks ago I put a new chart up without any penalty system. The reward is getting to put a checkmark by your name showing that you did your goal and also, feeling proud of yourself. It has really been working well for me. So I thought I would start one for family and friends and post it on my blog. What I'll do is do a new post each week. You just reply to the post to let me know when you've done your goal, and I will put it in the post so that you, too, can feel proud of yourself for doing your goal. So in your first reply, let me know what your goal is so I can put it in the post. This post is for this week, starting with yesterday and going through Sunday, so June 1-7. A slash mark (/) is a checkmark that you did your goal that day. And you can do more than just your goal. For instance, I exercised for 10 minutes today instead of 5. You can also change your goal whenever you want, just reply to the post and let me know.

Dellitt - Exercise for 5 minutes a day M / T / W Th F Sa / Su /
Andy - Go to the gym M T W Th F Sa Su /
Eat greens M T W Th F Sa Su
Mom - Get up early M T W Th F Sa Su
Take all my pills M T W Th F Sa Su
Go to the gym M T / W / Th / F Sa Su
Beth - Go to the gym 4 times a week M T / W Th F Sa Su

Lost

So I was talking to Alec last night and had the question "what is electricity, exactly"? Decided to look it up on Wikipedia and came across the name of a 19th century scientist who discovered a lot of stuff about electricity and electromagnetism. Named Michael Faraday. So if you're a Lost fan, you know that the physicist on the show is named Daniel Faraday. You also know that he did research about time travel. And that the island has strange properties and is currently in flux, traveling through time. Well, apparently, what is called Faraday's Law is a law about electricity that describes two different phenomena (which is apparently unique in physics or science). Anyhow, this Law was key in Albert Einstein developing his theory of special relativity. And one of the phenomena described is when a magnet travels through a coil and causes electricity to occur in the coil as it passes through (I think I've described it correctly). So, is the island a giant electromagnet? I know this is one theory that people suggested early on in the show (around when the hatch stuff was all happening).

The word for electricity comes from the Greek word for amber. This is something that the ancients discovered created electricity when rubbed. I think this lends credence to my idea that the island is the lost island of Atlantis, and it is made of amber! The Others would be either original Atlantians or descendents. It would explain the temple (not the 4 toes on the giant statue, but the temple, at least). The giant electromagnet theory, if you read about Michael Faraday's discoveries and Law, explains why the island disappears when it travels through time. It also explains why the wheel that Ben and Locke turn to move the island is necessary (but I don't remember what I read well enough to explain it). Of course, knowing that Daniel Faraday's name comes from this important scientist, would suggest that Eloise Hawking, his mother and also a scientist, gets her name from Stephen Hawking, who is famous for his work on black holes. Haven't researched that yet. But basically, if you get too close to a black hole, you will be pulled into it, even just light, and be unable to escape because its pull is so strong. If the island is a type of black hole, then that explains why the plane crashed and why Desmond couldn't leave the island in his boat. It does not explain why it is possible to leave the island by submarine or helicopter or by using the right bearing when in a boat. But it is possible for the island to be in a black hole (thus, how Atlantis disappeared in the first place, though, not quite how Atlantis moved from Europe to the Pacific, though it would explain the slave ship, which should have been in the Atlantic, not the Pacific).

A couple of different theories, but I think they could both be possible and are not mutually exclusive. Because the black hole would be the coil that the electromagnet (the island) is passing through.

And a random question. Why was the Dharma initiative experimenting with polar bears? Why not an animal or bear that is easier to come by, not so big or dangerous, and makes more sense in a non-artic environment? I immediately think, well, since polar bears are found in the Arctic which is near the North Pole, which deals with the magnetic properties of the earth, do they exhibit or have something unique about them that would be revealed when brought away from the pole? If so, what would that be?

I think it's also relevant that Michael Faraday was a very religious man and belonged to a small sect (forget the name now, but something like Sandemian or something). Since the island seems to have a spiritual power besides all the science stuff going on (like Locke and Rose being healed, the apparitions of dead people, etc). I'm curious about that part of the island, too.

Anyhow. Let me know your thoughts.

Movie Line Quiz

Ok, so I got this idea from Beth. Here are the rules:

- Pick 15 of your favorite movies.
- Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie (one-liners are best).
- Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.
- Strike out the quote when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
- NO cheating. If you don't know any of them, that's just too bad!

(that's if you want to do this on your own blog)

Here are mine. Post your guess and if you're right, you'll see your name beside the line from the movie!

1. If you are fighting, stop fighting. If you are marching, stop marching. Come back to me. Come back to me is my request. Cold Mountain - Beth guessed this

2. I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow. Gone With the Wind - Andy

3. Is it possible - or could I have just imagined it - have my children by any chance been climbing trees today? Sound of Music - Beth

4. We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly. Aliens - nobody got it

5. Damn that Texan - when you need him, he's dead.
I ain't dead yet, you bushwhacker. Hang on. True Grit - Beth

6. You want to take me to dinner in *Havana, Cuba?* Guys and Dolls - no one got it

7. Jerry: Oh, you don't understand, Osgood! Ehhhh... I'm a man.
Osgood: Well, nobody's perfect. Some Like it Hot - Paula

8. Lisa: The last thing Mrs. Thorwald would leave behind would be her wedding ring. Stella, do you ever leave yours at home?
Stella: The only way somebody would get that would be to chop off my - finger. Let's go down to the garden and find out what's buried there.
Lisa: Why not? I always wanted to meet Mrs. Thorwald. Rear Window ~ Beth

9. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father. The Empire Strikes Back - Andy

10. ADRIAN! Rocky - Andy

11. You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley. On the Waterfront - nobody guessed it

12. Edward: So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her?
Vivian: She rescues him right back. Pretty Woman - Beth

13. Her: I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it. Well, I meant it, but I was so stupid that I didn't mean what I meant... After all, it's only a diary. Everyone knows diaries are just... full of crap.
Him: Yes, I know that. I was just buying you a new one. Bridget Jones Diary - Beth

14. You see, before he came down here, it never snowed. And afterwards, it did. If he weren't up there now... I don't think it would be snowing. Sometimes you can still catch me dancing in it. Edward Scissorhands - Beth

New take on an old goal

So, I am not giving up on my goal to exercise more and make healthier eating choices. I just decided that my approach wasn't working and I needed to try something new. So, I'm going to get another alarm clock and hopefully wake up 15 minutes earlier to be able to get 10 minutes of yoga in before I go to work. I'm also going to buy a bunch of fresh vegetables to take with me to work. My healthy eating idea is to try to eat a serving of vegetables every day.

Anybody else resolved to get back to their New Year's Resolutions?

Best Kept Secret in Provo

That would be Joe Vera's Mexican restaurant. They were super busy last night, but I still got seated right away. Their food is always good. Next time you go to Los Hermanos and they make you stand out in the freezing cold for 40 minutes, consider walking a few blocks west and going to Joe Vera's instead. Their food is really good. I think they're cheaper than Los Hermanos, also. It's my favorite place for Mexican food in Provo (although, there's one in Orem that I like a little more only because they have more choices on their menu. The food at both places is really good, though.

For the Coldplay fan in all of us

I think this may be my new favorite picture of Coldplay.



Wait a minute, what's up with Will's hair? And does this mean he's a redhead?

Music list

So I am compiling a list of music I would like to have on cd. I have racked my brain and come up with quite a few good ones, and even gotten some suggestions from a couple other people.

This is your chance to suggest music you think I would enjoy listening to. Musician or composer (i.e. for classical music).

I look forward to getting LOTS of suggestions!

I decided to list some of the musicians already on the list, to give you an idea (cause Dad was saying Gene Autry and Chet Atkins, and I'm not so much a country music fan, though I do have Johnny Cash on the list).

One Republic
Augustana
Franz Schubert
Claude Debussy
Dan Fogelberg
Lily Allen
Irving Berlin
George Gershwin
Cole Porter

Never fear, I am going to come up with a special list of just Coldplay stuff I don't already have:)

What's your favorite astronomy picture?

I love the Astronomy Picture of the Day website that NASA has. I learn a lot about astronomy and science and see some of the most spectacular sites in the universe. It's a great thing. So I thought I'd post 3 pictures that I've gotten off that site and see which ones are your favorites (only pick one). Tell why you picked the picture, too.

This is called the Central Molecular Zone. I'm not sure how the image was taken or changed for it to have these colors, they may not be what would be visible to the naked eye.

A black and white image of Saturn's rings


I don't think this is a natural color image. But anyway, this is Mercury.


So pick your favorite!

Chamomile Tea

Just wanted to sing the praises of my favorite herbal tea. I find it so soothing. And very yummy, but then I put in about 5 spoonfuls of sugar. What's your favorite tea?

Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists. I love so many things about the way he paints. The curvy lines and thick black outlines and bright colors and absence of intricate detail or the need to make it feel realistic make his art seem childlike, yet they convey such powerful emotions and beautiful interpretations of life.

If you could only hang one Van Gogh in your house, which would it be?

My name list

So last night, to de-stress and renew myself, I chose to rearrange my boy's name list. Not that I have any need for these names right now, it's just fun to put in order how much I like certain names. So I will just give you my top 10 (I'm still working on it and am up to 105 and just have maybe 10-15 more to figure out since I'm cutting several). Tell me which ones you like and which ones you don't. I tend to mostly like traditional boy names (I do have some old-fashioned, unusual, dated, and even a couple trendy names farther down on my list)

1-James
2-Matthew
3-Michael
4-Aaron
5-Seth
6-Peter
7-Phillip
8-Richard
9-Edward (and no, this is not because of Twilight, I've liked it for a long time)
10-William

Happy New Year!

I hope everybody had a good new year's eve.

I came up with several new resolutions for this year. I'll just share one. Feel free to post your New Year's resolutions also.

Give up my tv habit.